Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered as extracting solvents in soil remediation. However, they can be pollutants themselves, and their own toxicities are of concerns. Notably, organisms were exposed to pollutants at random life stages in actual environmental exposure scenario, which is different from the set-up of one uniform life stage in usual experiment designs. The influence of life stages on ILs toxicities will provide essential information on their actual environmental risks. In the present study, effects of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C2mim]Br) were measured on C. elegans with egg exposure and adult exposure. In egg exposure, [C2mim]Br increased the lifespan, stimulated initial reproduction and inhibited the total reproduction. Biochemical indices including oxidative stress, antioxidant responses and oxidative damage were further measured to explore the toxicity mechanisms. Results showed that [C2mim]Br significantly stimulated O2-· as the oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as the antioxidant defense. In adult exposure, [C2mim]Br inhibited initial reproduction, total reproduction and lifespan. Biochemical results showed that [C2mim]Br significantly stimulated H2O2 and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The overall findings demonstrated that [C2mim]Br caused life stage-dependent toxicities on C. elegans. Future studies are still needed for the detailed mechanisms.
Keywords: Antioxidant system; Caenorhabditis elegans; Ionic liquid; Life stage; Lifespan; Reproduction.
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